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Vincentians withdraw from Saint Joseph’s
(8/10) After 170 years, Vincentian priests are bidding farewell to the St. Joseph parish by the end of the summer.
In a June letter to the Saint Joseph’s parish community, Reverend Stephen Grozio noted the withdrawal as a "realistic path" primarily due to a significant drop in the number of Vincentian priests and brothers in active ministry over the years.
"For example, in the year 2000, there were approximately ninety-five Vincentian priests of the Eastern Province serving in active ministry in the United States. Five years ago, there were fifty-five active priests serving in those ministries and, at the end of 2021, there were only forty-one," he said.
"At this time, I wish to thank Father Bill Allegretto, C.M., your pastor, and Fathers Harry Arnone, C.M., and Gene Sheridan, C.M., who have assisted in the parish, and all the Vincentian priests and brothers who have been stationed there, for their loving and faithful ministry through the decades. Fathers Harry and Gene will continue serving the Daughters of Charity at the Villa, and we are arranging for a residence for them," Grozio said.
"We received the news of their departure with a heavy heart but also with the knowledge and trust that they are moving on a path that is best for their community and their service to the Lord at this time," Deacon Yeung, Archbishop’s Delegate for the Western Vicariate, said.
Manning the 229-year-old parish, effective September 1, will be two priests from the Incarnate Word (IVE) order according to Deacon Christopher Yeung, Father Alberto Barattero and Father Andrés Ayala were appointed Pastor and Associate Pastor, respectively, of St. Joseph’s effective September 2 by Archbishop William Lori.
Additionally, fellow Priests from the IVE order will soon take over pastoral responsibilities for St. Anthony’s and Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
The Vincentians will remain responsible for the Pastoral care of the Daughters of Charity. IVE monks that currently serve Seton Shrine and the Lourdes Grotto will continue in those ministries. The sisters Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matara (SSVM) who reside at the rectory of the OLMC will also continue their ministry.
The Archdiocese expressed sincere gratitude to the Vincentians for their many generations of dedicated service to St. Joseph and asked the community to join in welcoming the IVE priests as they begin their ministry.
More information can be found by contacting Deacon Christopher Yeung at 410-547-5456.
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